US pursuing carrot and stick focus on N. Waziristan operations

Islamabad, Mar. 28 (ANI): The United States is considering various options, including typical hardcore solutions based on its carrot and stick policy in repairing strained relations with Pakistan by demanding military operation in North Waziristan Agency without any further delay.

Diplomatic sources told The Nation that Washington had been weighing various options in response to Islamabad’s March 17 protest over Washington’s inhuman drone hit on a peace congregation in North Waziristan Agency that claimed 39 lives.

Sources said there has been zero communication between the US State Department and the Pakistan Foreign Office since March 17 when US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter was summoned and told in no uncertain terms that the drone strike was unacceptable.

Munter had then pledged to leave for Washington on March 19 to hand over Pakistan’s press note, but instead revisited the Foreign Office on March 25 to invite Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir for a visit to the United States.

Pakistan boycotted the trilateral meeting of Afghanistan, Pakistan and United States in Brussels on March 26 as a mark of protest ostensibly with the view that Washington would tender an apology but so far it has not happened.

Washington is reported to be weighing various options with a major focus on pressuring Pakistan to launch a meaningful military operation in North Waziristan, a region seen as a terrorist hub. (ANI)